What is Pyrilutamide
Pyrilutamide, also known by its developmental code name KX-826, is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen (NSAA) with high selectivity and affinity as a silent antagonist of the androgen receptor (AR). It is currently being developed by Suzhou Kintor Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited, for potential use in treating androgenic alopecia (hair loss related to androgens) and acne in China and the United States. As of October 2022, Pyrilutamide is undergoing phase 3 clinical trials for androgenic alopecia and phase 2 trials for acne.
Potential Uses and Benefits
-Prostate Cancer Treatment: Pyrilutamide exhibits potential in slowing down prostate cancer progression by inhibiting androgen receptor activation. Further clinical studies are needed to establish its efficacy and safety compared to other treatments, including RU58841.
-Androgenetic Alopecia: Ongoing research aims to determine the effectiveness of Pyrilutamide in treating male pattern baldness. Its antiandrogenic properties make it a potential candidate for promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss.
-Hirsutism: Pyrilutamide’s antiandrogenic effects may assist in reducing unwanted hair growth in women with hormonal imbalances. However, its efficacy for this specific use is still under investigation, requiring further studies.Current Research and Future Directions:
While Pyrilutamide shows promise in various applications, it’s important to acknowledge that much of the research conducted thus far has been limited to preclinical studies and animal models. Further clinical trials are needed to evaluate its safety, dosage, and effectiveness in human subjects.
Additionally, ongoing research aims to explore Pyrilutamide’s potential in treating acne, endometriosis, and hyperandrogenism. These investigations have the potential to uncover valuable insights into the compound’s broader applications and benefits.
How does Pyrilutamide work for treating hair loss?
Pyrilutamide, an androgen receptor blocker, operates differently compared to oral dihydrotestosterone (DHT) blockers like finasteride and dutasteride. While finasteride and dutasteride target the 5-α-reductase enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT, Pyrilutamide directly targets the androgen receptor itself. By blocking DHT, the primary hormone associated with pattern baldness, Pyrilutamide helps improve hair loss and prevents further hair loss. The ultimate goal remains the same, regardless of whether one uses finasteride, dutasteride, or Pyrilutamide.
Current clinical trials of Pyrilutamide:
Currently, Kintor is conducting three clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of Pyrilutamide in treating androgenic alopecia. In China, their phase III clinical trial for men started patient enrollment in December 2021, while their phase II clinical trial for women completed patient enrollment in August 2022. In the United States, Kintor is conducting a phase II clinical trial for men, which finished patient enrollment in March 2022.
Latest Pyrilutamide results (as of January 2023):
In September 2021, Kintor announced the successful results of the Chinese phase II clinical trial for men with androgenic alopecia, demonstrating good efficacy and safety. However, these results have not been published in scientific journals thus far. Currently, the most detailed available results are from press releases, internally created presentations, and a poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Chinese Hair Research Society. This poster revealed that the phase II clinical trial included 120 Chinese men with moderate pattern hair loss symptoms. Three different treatment options, along with two control groups, were tested during the trial, with the twice-daily application of 5 milligrams (0.5% concentration) of Pyrilutamide yielding the best hair growth improvement. After 24 weeks of treatment, this regimen increased hair count by 22.73 hairs per cm², compared to 15.34 hairs per cm² in the placebo group.
Side effects of Pyrilutamide:
The latest clinical trial results confirm the positive safety profile of Pyrilutamide, with no serious adverse reactions reported. Users experienced only mild side effects such as itchy and dry skin, redness and irritation, and contact dermatitis. These findings align with the results of the previous Phase I/Ib clinical trial, which indicated that all side effects were related to contact dermatitis. It remains uncertain whether these side effects are attributed to the drug itself or the solution used for delivery, a common issue with other topical medications like liquid minoxidil.
Future clinical trials and dosage:
Based on the previous trial’s outcomes, future Pyrilutamide clinical trials for men with androgenic alopecia will likely focus on the twice-daily application of 5 milligrams of Pyrilutamide. However, it is unknown if this dosage is optimal for treating women with androgenic alopecia or whether it will impact the dosage tested for Pyrilutamide’s clinical trials for acne vulgaris.
Upcoming phase III clinical trial:
Kintor’s upcoming phase III clinical trial for androgenic alopecia will last 24 weeks and aims to enroll 416 men. The release date for the results of this trial has not been announced yet.
Should you be Using Pyrilutamide for Hair Loss today?
As of now, Pyrilutamide is still in the process of undergoing clinical trials and has not received approval for widespread use in the treatment of prostate cancer, androgenetic alopecia, or hirsutism. While Pyrilutamide shows promise in terms of its potential uses and benefits, further research is needed to establish its efficacy, safety, and optimal dosage profile.
It’s important to note that there is limited data available regarding the optimal dosing protocols for Pyrilutamide, and there is not enough anecdotal evidence to draw any definitive conclusions about its effectiveness and safety. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the cost of Pyrilutamide is higher compared to other topical antiandrogens commonly used for hair loss prevention.
Considering the current state of knowledge, I do not recommend using Pyrilutamide at this time. If you are specifically looking for a topical anti-androgen to prevent hair loss, I would suggest considering alternatives such as RU58841. RU58841 has a high level of anecdotal evidence supporting its use, safety, dosing profile and is also a reasonably cheap compound.
